Steve Bourgault
Master’s in Experimental Health Sciences, 2004
Ph.D. in Biology, 2009
Full Professor in the Department of Chemistry at UQAM
Recipient of the 2026 Trailblazer Award

“Beyond individual skills, the overall environment is critical to successfully carrying out research projects with a significant societal impact.”

From his early days at INRS to his current role as a professor-researcher and holder of a Canada Research Chair, Steve Bourgault has forged a career that is both rigorous and resolutely focused on innovation. Driven by an interest in interdisciplinary approaches, he now works at the intersection of chemistry, immunology, and medicine, where his research is helping to advance nanomolecular research.

It was precisely this interest that led him to choose INRS for his graduate studies. “The research activities at my host laboratory […] were perfectly aligned with my interests and career goals,” he explains. There, he found an environment entirely dedicated to research, as well as structured guidance under the direction of Professor Alain Fournier, which allowed him to develop both his independence and his scientific rigor.

Beyond his technical skills, his time at INRS has played a key role in his professional development. “My journey has provided me with unique technical, scientific, and disciplinary skills, but it has also helped me develop my independence, communication skills, and leadership,” he emphasizes. He also benefits from numerous opportunities to gain international exposure, particularly through a joint thesis supervision program in France and his participation in scientific events abroad, which enrich his perspective and expand his network.

From this experience, he has learned one key lesson: “Scientific research requires a great deal of effort, determination, and significant teamwork.” He also emphasizes the crucial role of the environment in the success of projects: “Beyond personal skills, the overall environment is critical to successfully carrying out research projects with a significant societal impact.” This conviction is based as much on his own work as on the environment in which he has developed his career, where the quality of collaborations plays an essential role.

After earning his Ph.D., Steve Bourgault continued his career at the Scripps Research Institute in California, where he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in an internationally renowned research environment. He then joined the Department of Chemistry at the Université du Québec à Montréal as a professor. Today, he holds the Canada Research Chair in the Chemistry of Biological Nanoassemblies and leads the PROTEO strategic cluster, actively contributing to the advancement of his field.

Looking back, he recognizes the importance of his time at INRS in shaping his career. This experience allowed him to develop the essential skills needed to thrive in the academic world, both scientifically and personally. He reminds students that “graduate school is much more than just completing a research project—it’s a complete life experience” and encourages them to get actively involved in their community.

Looking ahead, he hopes to see scientific research continue to grow while becoming more closely connected to society. “The scientific community in Quebec is full of talent, and we must nurture it in order to maximize its impact on our society.” This commitment is a true reflection of his career path, which has been guided by a desire to advance science for the benefit of as many people as possible.

[Interviewed in April 2026.]